Between Passes and belonging: Co-constructing a Futsal Pedagogy fir Girls

• Grant number: 25/09129-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2025
• End date: November 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Education - Educational Teaching and Learning
• Principal Investigator: Júlia Barreira Augusto
• Grantee: Kamile Paes Delgado
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Educação Física (FEF). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Considering the sociocultural and historical factors that continue to limit female participation in soccer/futsal, this research aims to structure and analyze a pedagogical proposal aimed at girls who practice futsal. From a co-construction perspective, the goal is to promote an environment in which the students actively participate in the development of the classes, contributing with their experiences, interests, and needs. Through an action research approach, a girls-only futsal group for ages 12 to 15 will be implemented as part of an extension project at the School of Physical Education at Unicamp. The classes will be collaboratively planned in order to foster a sense of belonging to the sport and to create spaces for dialogue that encourage questioning and critical reflection on gender inequalities in sports. In addition to addressing gender barriers that have historically marked soccer/futsal as male-dominated spaces, the project also seeks to tackle the high dropout rate of girls from sports during adolescence by offering a safe, welcoming, and meaningful alternative for continued sports participation. The aim is to strengthen these young girls' connection with the sport, contributing to the development of an inclusive and critical futsal pedagogy. (AU)